Coast to coast
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 990
Likes: 7
From: Philadelphia Pa
Coast to coast
Finally going to make my trip this year to Ca from Philadelphia. Still fine tuning but my question is. What is the best part of the PCH to ride and to stay away from. Going to hopefully pick it up in Oregon. Thanks i advance. More questions to come later.
hdwd2000
hdwd2000
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,561
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From: Long Island, New York
It is all pretty amazing, not sure if some areas are still closed in Cali from rock slides. I am sure their DOT website will tell you. Mt St. Helen's is a very worthy in land detour.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 21,413
Likes: 18,030
Depends on what parts of California and what time of year.
Sierra Passes wont open until late June due to heavy snowfall and road damage.
Colorado Rockies snow doesnt melt until June. Late June to be sure.
PCH weather is best starting south to north. But the view is best north to south.
Desert is over 100 degrees early June to early September
National Parks need reservations well in advance.
All said, early fall is the best time. Great weather, less expensive and less crowded.
I have directions and Google Maps of best rides when you are ready.
Sierra Passes wont open until late June due to heavy snowfall and road damage.
Colorado Rockies snow doesnt melt until June. Late June to be sure.
PCH weather is best starting south to north. But the view is best north to south.
Desert is over 100 degrees early June to early September
National Parks need reservations well in advance.
All said, early fall is the best time. Great weather, less expensive and less crowded.
I have directions and Google Maps of best rides when you are ready.
Last edited by user 7172984932; Mar 12, 2024 at 03:25 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,980
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
In '95 we rode the coastal road(s) going south from Oregon to S.F.
It was some "slow going" but it was a beautiful ride, especially through the redwoods and even though we had some rain (to be expected I guess) but it was worth it!
I always thought that I would someday like to "run" RT US-50 west all the way to Sacramento, CA then over to the coast to do a southern "loop" down the coast before heading east toward home, but being how things are today and with CA not being very friendly to those of us who "carry" I'd probably that trip in Carson City, NV
CA is a beautiful state and if at all possible the three things that I would recommend everyone to see would be Yosemite Nat'l Park, Muir Woods and of course the coastal highways, and IF if you can handle it,,,,Death Valley!
It was some "slow going" but it was a beautiful ride, especially through the redwoods and even though we had some rain (to be expected I guess) but it was worth it!
I always thought that I would someday like to "run" RT US-50 west all the way to Sacramento, CA then over to the coast to do a southern "loop" down the coast before heading east toward home, but being how things are today and with CA not being very friendly to those of us who "carry" I'd probably that trip in Carson City, NV
CA is a beautiful state and if at all possible the three things that I would recommend everyone to see would be Yosemite Nat'l Park, Muir Woods and of course the coastal highways, and IF if you can handle it,,,,Death Valley!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
Highway 504 from Castle Rock to Johnston Ridge is closed halfway up, Lahar Viewpoint is accessible from 503 East of Cougar but the road is in terrible condition
not recommended on a Harley.
Further East FS 90 is closed between Northwoods and Randle from a landslide.
Windy ridge can be accessed from highway 12 at Randle,Wa but will be snowed in until at least late June if not sometime in July.
That's the best bet for viewing the crater and Spirit Lake currently and it runs between Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens so one could visit both,it's also the same highway as famous Lolo Pass from Montana to Idaho.
I can map some great routes to the coast from there,the Oregon Coast is pretty special so any PCH ride should start there.
I'm 67 years old and was born and raised in Oregon,been living in Washington for a little over 40 years now so I know my way around the Pacific NW.
I've also been touring on Harleys for nearly 40 years and know the western half of the USA very well.
This picture is the southside of St Helens from my home.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
In '95 we rode the coastal road(s) going south from Oregon to S.F.
It was some "slow going" but it was a beautiful ride, especially through the redwoods and even though we had some rain (to be expected I guess) but it was worth it!
I always thought that I would someday like to "run" RT US-50 west all the way to Sacramento, CA then over to the coast to do a southern "loop" down the coast before heading east toward home, but being how things are today and with CA not being very friendly to those of us who "carry" I'd probably that trip in Carson City, NV
CA is a beautiful state and if at all possible the three things that I would recommend everyone to see would be Yosemite Nat'l Park, Muir Woods and of course the coastal highways, and IF if you can handle it,,,,Death Valley!
It was some "slow going" but it was a beautiful ride, especially through the redwoods and even though we had some rain (to be expected I guess) but it was worth it!
I always thought that I would someday like to "run" RT US-50 west all the way to Sacramento, CA then over to the coast to do a southern "loop" down the coast before heading east toward home, but being how things are today and with CA not being very friendly to those of us who "carry" I'd probably that trip in Carson City, NV
CA is a beautiful state and if at all possible the three things that I would recommend everyone to see would be Yosemite Nat'l Park, Muir Woods and of course the coastal highways, and IF if you can handle it,,,,Death Valley!
Especially if you're a Star Wars fan,the speeder scenes in Return of the Jedi were filmed there.
As for those of us who carry you can't carry open or concealed in Cali from out of state but you can bring your hand gun as long as the gun is unloaded and locked in a case and the ammo is locked in a separate case.
Just don't give them a reason to pull you over and there should be no worries,I've never been searched at the point of entry usually coming from Oregon,they just wave us through.
That said I always took mine into my motel rooms,rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
We’re having a very wet winter, check up till leaving time on what road conditions will be. Expect snow still on the ground at higher elevations and passes even July and August, it’s been that bad.Lot of closures currently due to slides and washouts that may go long getting repaired.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
Were having a very wet winter, check up till leaving time on what road conditions will be. Expect snow still on the ground at higher elevations and passes even July and August, its been that bad.Lot of closures currently due to slides and washouts that may go long getting repaired.
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